Think of the children?
Aug. 28th, 2007 03:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sobriqueAs a thought experiment:
What if we introduced, in this country, child licenses?
Namely, that in order to have a child, you must pass a test, covering:
Basic child care. How to look after them, both physically and mentally, but most importantly how to seek additional advice with looking after them. Including stuff like nutrition, and fun stuff like nappies and pottys. Also psychological stuff, like rules and discipline - how to give a child a 'free and fun' childhood, but without letting them run riot.
Educational needs - how the educational system works, and what they actually will learn (yes, before the child's born, not as they're thinking about schools). How to enhance their child's early learning.
Financial needs - demonstrable understanding of how much a child actually costs, and what that means for their finances. (not stopping someone who's not got a lot of money from having a child, but more making it entirely clear that babys are expensive).
Genetics? Understanding of genetic factors that lead to 'probable' outcomes - primarily congenital diseases, but also stuff like propensity for being shortsighted.
Hints and tips for how to deal with 'situations' you don't have as a non-parent - e.g. children in a supermarket, going out in the evenings, that kind of thing.
And ... hmm probably other stuff that benefits from forethought.
Should there be disqualifying factors? Does _everyone_ have a right to have children?
If so, what should they be?
And... how would you enforce this? The easiest way would be 'some kind' of mandatory birth control, but ... well then you start straying into the realm of human rights.
Perhaps you could require any 'new' parents to pass the test within 6 months, or their children will be taken into foster care? Might work, but would lead to children ending up being 'hidden' from 'the big bad system', which would be even worse.
Would it, or could it work? Should it?
What if we introduced, in this country, child licenses?
Namely, that in order to have a child, you must pass a test, covering:
Basic child care. How to look after them, both physically and mentally, but most importantly how to seek additional advice with looking after them. Including stuff like nutrition, and fun stuff like nappies and pottys. Also psychological stuff, like rules and discipline - how to give a child a 'free and fun' childhood, but without letting them run riot.
Educational needs - how the educational system works, and what they actually will learn (yes, before the child's born, not as they're thinking about schools). How to enhance their child's early learning.
Financial needs - demonstrable understanding of how much a child actually costs, and what that means for their finances. (not stopping someone who's not got a lot of money from having a child, but more making it entirely clear that babys are expensive).
Genetics? Understanding of genetic factors that lead to 'probable' outcomes - primarily congenital diseases, but also stuff like propensity for being shortsighted.
Hints and tips for how to deal with 'situations' you don't have as a non-parent - e.g. children in a supermarket, going out in the evenings, that kind of thing.
And ... hmm probably other stuff that benefits from forethought.
Should there be disqualifying factors? Does _everyone_ have a right to have children?
If so, what should they be?
And... how would you enforce this? The easiest way would be 'some kind' of mandatory birth control, but ... well then you start straying into the realm of human rights.
Perhaps you could require any 'new' parents to pass the test within 6 months, or their children will be taken into foster care? Might work, but would lead to children ending up being 'hidden' from 'the big bad system', which would be even worse.
Would it, or could it work? Should it?
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no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 04:09 pm (UTC)Foster care though is too draconian and often worse for the child.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 06:44 pm (UTC)And why not compulsory?
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 07:00 pm (UTC)As far as I am aware Ante-natal classes start later in the pregnancy, and don't cover the degree of developmental stuff i am talking about.
they do not start until week 32 out of 40 at least, if you are lucky they are 3 1.5 hrs sessions covering how you feel about giving birth, the stages of labour, pain relief available and what choices you have about giving birth and feeding. Nothing at all on childcare, not even how to change a nappy. These things are dealt with by the midwives in hospital if you ask and if you have given birth in hospital. The classes by NCT include a little bit more on childcare, but they cost around £120 for a two day workshop wiht no practical elements.
To be honest, being one of those parents whose only exposure to childcare was what I remember from my own childhood and what I have seen in the last 18 months from friends having given birth before me, but essentially muddling through, I would have welcomed the availability of training, but I must admit that having had a look at some books/textbooks I feel i would have been worse off than picking older people (our own parents, but our old style health visitor is good too) brains.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 08:54 pm (UTC)And why not compulsory? Because we live in a free society and making anything compulsory needs a very, very good reason.
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Date: 2007-08-28 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 11:54 pm (UTC)